Russia and Ukraine exchange 205 prisoners of war each, World News
Russia and Ukraine swapped 205 prisoners of war each in an exchange mediated by the United Arab Emirates, both sides said on Tuesday (May 6).
"Today, Ukraine has brought back 205 warriors," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrote on the Telegram app, thanking the UAE for their help.
Russia's human rights ombudsman Tatiana Moskalkova thanked Russia's defence ministry and other agencies involved.
"For many families, today has become a celebration of reunification - anxiety and uncertainty have given way to the joy of a loved one returning home," she said.
Ukraine's prisoners of war affairs organisation said the returned prisoners consisted of 202 enlisted men and three officers from various parts of the military and national guard.
It said today's swap was the fifth this year and the 64th of the entire war, which has run for more than 38 months.
[[nid:717756]]
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Trump says Iran and Israel will have peace ‘soon'
US President Donald Trump said there were many unspecified meetings happening and the two countries should make a deal. PHOTO: REUTERS Trump says Iran and Israel will have peace 'soon' – Iran and Israel will have peace 'soon', US President Donald Trump said in a social media post on June 15 , adding that there were many unspecified meetings happening and that the two countries should make a deal. Israel and Iran launched fresh attacks on each other overnight into June 15 , killing scores. 'Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal,' Mr Trump said on Truth Social, adding that 'we will have PEACE, soon'. Mr Trump did not offer any details about the meetings or evidence of progress towards peace. His assertion contradicted comments by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said on J une 14 that Israel's campaign against Iran would intensify. A White House spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment on how Mr Trump and the White House were working to de-escalate the situation in the Middle East. Mr Trump, who portrays himself as a peacemaker and has drawn criticism from his political base for not being able to prevent the Israel-Iran conflict, cited other disputes that he took responsibility for solving, including between India and Pakistan, and lamented not getting more praise for doing so. 'I do a lot, and never get credit for anything, but that's OK, the PEOPLE understand. MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN!' he wrote. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Vietnam says US trade talks made progress but key issues are unresolved
FILE PHOTO: A container ship is seen near the Hai Phong International Container Terminal, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on tariffs for many countries, in Hai Phong, Vietnam, April 16, 2025. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo Vietnam says US trade talks made progress but key issues are unresolved HANOI - Vietnam and the United States made progress during a third round of trade negotiations last week, but critical issues remain unresolved, requiring further analysis and continued dialogue, Vietnam's trade ministry said on Sunday. The talks, in Washington, D.C. from June 9-12, were held as a pause on 46% "reciprocal" tariffs on Vietnamese exports approaches expiration in early July, adding pressure on both sides to reach a compromise. Vietnam's trade surplus with the United States surged to $12.2 billion in May, up nearly 42% year-on-year and 17% higher than April, Vietnamese government data showed. Exports to the U.S. climbed 42% from a year earlier to $13.8 billion, hitting a post-pandemic high. U.S. negotiators have submitted a list of trade demands to Hanoi, which Vietnamese officials described as "tough," including measures aimed at reducing Vietnam's reliance on Chinese imports of industrial materials and components. Vietnam's trade ministry said on Sunday the delegations had narrowed gaps on issues outlined in Vietnam's response to the U.S. requests and worked toward mutually acceptable solutions. Both sides agreed to hold an online meeting in the coming days between Vietnam's trade minister Nguyen Hong Dien and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to address unresolved issues, the ministry added. The last round of talks was held between Dien, Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, a format proposed by the United States. Under pressure from Washington, Hanoi has recently cracked down on illegal transshipment - typically when cargo is moved between ships during transit - of goods primarily from China. It has also expressed willingness to lower non-tariff barriers and increase imports of U.S. goods such as planes, farm products, and energy, though no purchase agreements have been announced. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Netanyahu says Iran will pay ‘very heavy price' for Israeli civilian deaths
Missiles that broke through Israel's air defence system caused damage and destruction in several areas. FILE PHOTO: REUTERS JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on June 15 that Iran would pay 'a very heavy price' for killing Israeli civilians, as the two foes kept up intense fighting. 'Iran will pay a very heavy price for the premeditated murder of civilians, women and children,' Mr Netanyahu said during a visit to the site of a missile strike on a residential building in the coastal city of Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv. Iran's missile attacks on Israel on the night of June 14 and early on J une 15 killed 10 people and wounded more than 200, according to first responders, bringing the total number of fatalities from Iranian strikes to 13. Missiles that broke through Israel's air defence system also caused damage and destruction in several areas, including Bat Yam, Tel Aviv and in the country's north. Israel's military censorship forbade journalists from sharing footage or the exact locations of missile hits inside the country. 'Israel absolutely had to carry out this operation,' Mr Netanyahu said in reference to the waves of strikes carried out across Iran on military and nuclear sites since the morning of June 13 . The operation, dubbed 'Rising Lion', officially aims to keep Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, and has hit more than 250 targets, according to Israel's military. 'We will reach all our objectives and we will eliminate the double existential threat,' Mr Netanyahu added, referring to Iran's nuclear programme and its ballistic missile capabilities. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
